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How to Find Vulvar Problems
Just as you would examine your
breasts or skin for changes, you should examine your vulva. A good way to
screen for vulvar problems is to do a vulvar self-exam once a month.
Why Do a Self-Exam?
The vulvar self-exam will help you to be
aware of any changes in the vulvar area that could signal a problem.
What Am I Looking For?
When you examine your vulva, you
should look for:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Dark or light spots
- Blisters
- Bumps
- Any other changes
- Itching
- Bleeding
- Discomfort
- Burning
Types of Vulvar Problems
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is caused by
irritation of the skin of the vulva. It is not always easy to find the
cause.
The main symptoms of contact dermatitis are redness and itching.
Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are the most common
type of vulvar infections.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs) can affect the vulva.
Genital Warts. Genital warts (condyloma), like warts on other parts of the body, are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). They often are spread through sexual contact.
Genital Herpes. Genital herpes infection is caused by herpes simplex virus. It can be spread through sexual contact.
Problems in Other Areas
Problems that affect other
parts of the body also may affect the vulva. Psoriasis, for instance, is a
skin disease that can appear on the vulva as red, thick, scaly patches
that may itch.
Vulvodynia
Vulvodynia means "vulvar pain." The
symptoms of vulvodynia include burning, stinging, irritation or rawness.
Vulvar Dystrophy
A vulvar dystrophy is abnormal skin
on the vulva. The skin can be too thin (lichen sclerosus), too thick
(hyperplasia), or a mixture of both.
Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Vulvar
intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a type of precancer. Precancer means it
may turn into cancer if it is not found and treated early.
Invasive Cancer
Invasive cancer of the vulva occurs
most often in areas of the vulva where there is chronic inflammation or
VIN. Symptoms include itching, discomfort and bleeding.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. During a
vulvar self-exam, look for changing moles or dark spots on your skin that
have edges that are not even.
Finally ... The vulvar self-exam can help alert you to vulvar problems. Talk to your doctor about any changes or symptoms you notice.
This excerpt from ACOG's Patient Education Pamphlet is provided for your information. It is not medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for visiting your doctor. If you need medical care, have any questions, or wish to receive the full text of this Patient Education Pamphlet, please contact your obstetrician-gynecologist.
